Using an Adjective Without Its Noun
The noun is understood → the adjective stands in its place.
How It Works
An adjective can function as the head of a phrase when the noun is understood. بڑوں can refer to older people, while پرانوں can refer to old items already mentioned.
The form then follows its noun-like role in the sentence. A plural group before a postposition can take -وں, as in بڑوں سے. Do not add this ending to every adjective before a noun.
For an understood singular object, ordinary adjective agreement can identify which one is meant. The surrounding conversation must make that noun recoverable.
Examples (4)
- بڑوں سے بھی رائے لیجیے۔
Ask the older people for their opinion too.
بڑوں is a plural noun-like adjective before سے.
- چھوٹوں کو بھی بولنے کا موقع دیجیے۔
Give the younger ones a chance to speak too.
چھوٹوں identifies the understood younger participants.
- نئے جوتے یہاں رکھو، پرانوں کو الماری میں رکھ دو۔
Put the new shoes here and the old ones in the cupboard.
پرانوں stands for the already mentioned shoes before کو.
- دونوں کپڑے اچھے ہیں، لیکن نیلا مجھے زیادہ پسند ہے۔
Both fabrics are nice, but I prefer the blue one.
نیلا stands for an understood masculine singular fabric.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Recognize an adjective that ordinarily modifies an expressed noun. Use oblique forms when the adjective itself fills the noun role.
Related Patterns
Practice Using an Adjective Without Its Noun in Bubblegum
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